Former Postdoctoral Fellows:
Bonnie Fraser
Guppy genomics and frequency dependent selection in guppies. 2009, 11 (co-advised with K. Hughes, FSU).
Robert Olendorf
Frequency dependent selection in guppies. 2002-06 (co-advised with Hughes and Houde, at U. of Illinois).
Jean Richardson
Inter-population variation in plasticity in offspring size. 2000-02 (co-advised with Abrams, Day and Rowe).
Steve Proulx
Sexual selection and signal reliability. 2000-02 (co-advised with Abrams, Day and Rowe).
Former Graduate students:
Alex De Serrano – PhD
The trans-generational epigenetic effects of methylphenidate on behaviour and morphology: Alex was an NSERC- and OGS-funded PhD candidate in the Rodd lab. She studied the role that the environment can have on the phenotype of an organism, both within individuals and across generations. For her thesis, she explored the epigenetic effects of dopamine manipulation on the morphology and behaviour of Trinidadian guppies. To do this, she employed a large, trans-generational experiment in the lab, and coupled this with field observations. For more information, see her website: https://alexdeserrano.wordpress.com/ and LinkedIn profile : www.linkedin.com/in/alexdeserrano
Ben Downer-Bartholomew – PhD
Ben studied trait evolution, specifically traits involved in visual signaling and communication within a species. He was also interested the evolution of mating preferences and the secondary sex traits associated with these preferences. For one experiment, Ben used mate preference experiments to see if females of uncolourful (‘ugly’) species have a mate choice preference for males with enhanced long wavelength (orange, red, yellow) colouration.
Mitch Daniel – PhD
Behavioural Consequences and Proximate Mechanisms of Kin Recognition in the Trinidadian Guppy (Poecilia reticulata). Mitch is now a postdoc in Kim Hughes’ lab at Florida State University.
Michael Foisy – MSc
Phylogenetic and Experimental Evidence for an Evolutionary Precursor toMale Colouration in Poeciliid Fishes and Their Relatives: Michael was an NSERC-funded MSc student working jointly in the Mahler https://mahlerlab.com/ and Rodd labs. He is interested in co-evolution, trait evolution, and comparative methods. Michael used phylogenetic models and experiments to explore how female mating biases may precede, and subsequently facilitate, the evolution of male ornaments in poeciliid and related fishes. Michael also has a fondness for bees.
Lucia Kwan – PhD
Sexual selection and the evolution of genitalia (co-advised with L. Rowe).
Pasan Samarasin – PhD
Population-based approaches for conservation and resource management.
Mersedeh Safa – MSc
Boldness in invasive and local crayfish species (co-advised with R. Baker).
Jordan Pleet – PhD.
Dispersal strategies (co-supervised with P. Abrams and B. Shuter).
Ani Vanesyan – MSc
Fine scale analysis of shoaling behaviour in guppies. 2012 (co-advised with W. Ryu, Physics).
Cameron Weadick – PhD
Molecular evolution of visual system genes in fishes. 2004-2012 (co-advised with B. Chang).
Anna Price
Male-male interactions in guppies.
Kara Lefevre – PhD
Tropical rainforest disturbance, avian frugivory, and implications for seed dispersal. 2002-08.
David Punzalan – PhD
Evolutionary ecology of sexually dimorphic colouration in ambush bugs. 2000-07 (co-advised with L. Rowe). David is now a faculty member at the University of Victoria.
James Burns – PhD
Inter-individual variation in cognitive ability in bees and guppies. 2001-07 (co-advised with J. Thomson 2004-2007).
Yun Cheng – MSc
Sexual selection and the evolution of genitalia in the guppy (Poecilia reticulata). 2001-04 (co-advised with L. Rowe).
Trevor Pitcher – PhD
The evolutionary ecology of mate choice. 1999-2005 (co-advised with L. Rowe).
Erin Dunlop – PhD
Life history variation in Ontario smallmouth bass. 2000-05 (co-advised with B. Shuter).